The 'B' Band participated in the 4th Section of this popular contest of own-choice test pieces, playing Simon Dobson's "Lydian Pictures". The section was won by a band already promoted to the 3rd Section for 2007, and while WSB were unplaced, they gained some recognition for their high proportion of young players.
The West of England Band Contest has been held at Bugle, Cornwall for over 80 years. The Wantage 'A' band made a second visit there on Saturday 17th June. Entering the 1st section and conducted by Philip Harper, we came 2nd, winning a cup and a cheque for £250. The Contest has some unusual features: it is held on an open-air stage in the middle of a field, and so is very susceptible to the weather - fortunately this was good (but perhaps too hot!) this year. Another feature is the parade of bands, both before the Contest and after, to and from the field. We couldn't join in the morning parade as several players travelled down on the day, but we took part in the evening one.
The Wantage contingent were made very welcome by both committee and the (large) crowd, and we should certainly consider an early return!
Sunday 19th March 2006 was a memorable day, with our 'A' and newly-formed 'B' "Contest" bands both competing in the London and Southern Counties Championships at Stevenage Leisure Centre, and achieving success in their respective divisions.
Playing in the 1st Section for only the third year after promotion from the 2nd, 'A' Band was placed third for the second time and will therefore be promoted to the giddy heights of the Championship Section from January 2007. Playing Goff Richards' tricky composition "Voyage of Discovery", the band clearly benefitted from the expert guidance of guest conductor Phil Bailey. The picture above shows Chip Chadwick returning from the stage, having re-claimed the 'Perpetual Challenge' trophy.
After years of disappointing results in the 4th Section, the recent re-organisation of 'B' Band, creating a contest-oriented group, paid dividends with a very creditable 13th place, out of 26 entrants. The band, conducted by Danny Dullforce, was warmly applauded by the audience, in view of the several young players in the 11-17 age group involved.
Following our excellent 3rd place in the London and Southern Counties 1st Section contest earlier this year, A Band was invited to the National Finals in Harrogate, on Sunday 25th September, one of 17 bands from the various regions. This was the highest honour the band has gained in its history, but we were disappointed to be placed only 15th, having played quite well under the guidance of contracted conductor, Philip Harper.
We were drawn on the day to play second, to be followed immediately by hot favourites Yorkshire Imps. It was they who eventually won, by a clear margin, so it has to be conjectured that this unfortunate juxtaposition contributed to our lowly position. However, we should congratulate our near neighbours, Aldbourne Band, on being placed fourth, after winning the West of England contest previously, and with it, promotion back to the Championship section.
The 'A' Band entered the Southern Counties Amateur Brass Bands Association (SCABA) Contest held in Hove Town Hall on Sunday 24th April. This is a very well run contest, adjudicated this year by Malcolm Brownbill. The location is ideal for the event - with the bonus of being only a short distance from the Hove and Brighton sea fronts! The Band came first out of 9 entries in the march section, playing the famous march 'Knight Templar' by Geo. Allan, and winning the Snelling Memorial Bowl. They were placed 4th in the test-piece section, playing 'A Downland Suite' by John Ireland.
The photograph shows soprano cornet player Brian Thomas receiving the Bowl from SCABA President Kenneth Dennison.
On Saturday 19th March, WSB 'A' Band travelled to Stevenage, to participate in the 1st Section of the London and Southern Counties Championships. Having won the 2nd Section two years ago and gained promotion, survival in the 1st Section has been the priority since, but they exceeded everyone's expectations by taking third prize at the higher level this year. Much of the credit must belong to our Conductor, Michael Pegram. As a result, the band will now proceed to the National Finals in Harrogate in September.
The picture above shows Chip Chadwick receiving the Perpetual Challenge Trophy on behalf of the band, reflecting the significant youth representation among its members.
While 'A' Band exceeded expectations, 'B' Band followed them the next day, playing in the 4th Section of the same group of contests. But the result in this case was less than hoped for. While 17th place out of 20 bands (2 others withdrew) was a slight improvement on last place the previous year, some weak playing in the third of the four movements of Bryan Kelly's "Divertimento" spoiled an otherwise good performance.
However, the day was notable for the appearance of three generations of the Clark family within the same band. The picture above shows young George on Soprano cornet, making his debut in an Area contest, with Dad Andy on Eb Bass and Granny Pauline on Percussion. George's playing of some solo passages drew complimentary remarks from the internet pundits in attendance.
Meanwhile, two other groups within WSB were engaged in 'contests' over the same weekend! Denise Clark took her "Thursday" Training Band to the 'Music for Youth' event in Oxford on the Saturday, followed by Roger Middlebrook with our Youth Band the following day. This was actually a 'Music Festival' event, involving groups of young musicians of all persuasions playing programmes of "own choice" music. "Adjudicators" presented their comprehensive and very appreciative comments, expressing what seemed to be surprise at the very high standard of presentation and music, a feeling shared by the audiences!
The outcome has been that Denise's group, pictured here, has been been selected to perform at the 35th National Festival of Music for Youth on 11th July, in the Adrian Boult Hall of the Birmingham Conservatoire! They will join up to 300 other groups from 60 similar regional festivals, occupying three prestigious Birmingham locations during the week, in what will be Europe's largest music festival. It is even possible they could be chosen to play at the Music for Youth Schools Prom at the Royal Albert Hall in November.
This picture shows the Youth Band accepting the applause at the close of their performance.
Well done everyone!
'A' Band made their customary annual visit to Pontins Holiday Camp in North Wales, to enter the 1st Section of this prestigious contest. With less preparation than they would have liked and competing against many of the top 1st section bands in the country, they were very pleased to be placed 13th out of 26 entrants. Our Bandsman of the Year, Principal Cornet Steve Chapman, drew praise from the adjudicators, who described his playing at various points as "super", "beatiful", "lovely" . . .
Having tasted 1st Section status only briefly in the early '90s, and being weakened by personnel departures since the promotion performance last year, everyone was anxious to discover how well 'A' Band could perform in the 1st Section this time around. However, all those who attended the 'open rehearsal' in Lains Barn on the previous Monday, practicing Bramwell Tovey's often cacophonous test piece "Coventry Variations", were encouraged by what they heard and we can now join them in their celebration of a good 8th place among the 17 bands competing.
That was Saturday. Come Sunday, it was 'B' Band's turn to defend last year's good position in the 4th Section, playing Edward Gregson's "Partita". Despite a lot of hard practice and an encouraging run through at Lains Barn, things tended to fall apart somewhat on the day and everyone was disappointed to be placed last of the 21 bands. However, on the bright side - a contributor to "The Mouthpiece", a brass band e-mail forum, wrote:
"For me, the player of the two days was the soprano player for Wantage B. They came last, but the soprano player was a shining light for me. Strong without overpowering, and aside from tiring a little, came back to finish well and overall performed brilliantly where many others failed."
Well done Joanne King!
On Sunday, 30th November, the 'A' band journeyed to Royal Leamington Spa to enter the Annual Contest of the West Midlands Band Association. Playing 'Purcell Variations' by Kenneth Downie, we came 4th out of 8 in the 2nd section Contest, just missing the prizes.
This was our last outing as a 2nd Section band, before joining the ranks of the 1st Section next year. The result was a little disappointing, but perhaps understandable in view of the reduced strength at present. However, the day finished in good style with a celebration meal at The House of Spice in Wantage!
Sorry to say, no tales of glory from our travels to Scotland - just a creditable 13th place out of 18 contestants. The test piece was Eric Ball's 'Sunset Rhapsody' and the following was the assessment from the reporter at the "4barsrest" website, which is probably fair.
Draw 6, Wantage
"Lots of control to start ? a bit on the steady side maybe. Rep and sop not 100% together. There's lots of detail around but we feel the music is being pulled around a little too much. Nice sounds but its steady stuff. The band produces a nice sound and things go very well at times. Unfortunately the overall picture isn't complete though and the interpretation may well count against them."
See the NEWS page for our conductor's reactions.
Shortly after the event, the band gathered at the bandstand in Wantage park for this celebration photograph and were joined by our President, Councillor Jim Moley.'A' Band overcame stiff opposition to win the 2nd Section! Drawn to play 8th of the 17 bands entered, we scored 187 points, playing the set test piece "Celestial Prospect", by Wilfred Heaton. This takes us to the National Finals at Dundee in September, and gives us promotion to the 1st Section! We have been there before, and again it will be a tough task maintaining the required standard as some of our young players will leave to take up university places and other commitments before long. But the organisation is as strong as ever, despite our location problems, and we aim to hold our place.
'B' Band entered the 4th Section for the first time in several years, the only "second string" band among 20 entries from various towns in this large region. We were drawn to play first - not generally considered a favourable draw, but it gave the many novice players a chance to settle in their seats as we played the National Anthem. We were eventually placed 11th, a very creditable and satisfactory result in the circumstances, especially since this was only Danny Dullforces' second contest as a conductor (first Area contest). It was a boost for many to discover at the end that the composer of the test piece (Lydian Pictures), Simon Dobson, was in the audience!
Jane Palmer (WSB Contest Secretary) receives the 2nd Section trophy and banner while Mike Pegram receives the trophy for Best Conductor from the adjudicator, well-known cornet soloist Alan Morrison
'A' Band were up against 1st Section opposition in the form of Swindon Pegasus this year, with whom we eventually shared the honours. We won the march section, playing 'Mephistopheles', but had to accept second place for our test piece 'Celestial Prospect', though the adjudicator, Alan Jenkin, said that we gave a superb performance.
Playing "Rhapsody in Brass", we were disappointed to come 8th of 10 bands in this contest - our poorest result for some time! Ah well, some you win, others are best forgotten.
Youth Band, playing first, took 1st Prizes in both Music and Presentation, beating Yarnton into 2nd place.
'B' Band were up against opposition from Shipston and Chinnor, both 3rd Section bands, but came second for Presentation and took home the cup for best 4th Section band.
Sad to say, 'A' Band was the only entrant in the top section and won high praise from the adjudicator, Lloyd Landry. He was particularly impressed with solo euphonium player Graham Palmer. With no opposition, we declined to accept the prizes.
'A' Band were very pleased to be placed 2nd out of 9 bands in the Swindon Festival of Music Entertainment Contest.
The programme was Festive Prelude , Over the Rainbow (Solo Horn Judith Chapman), Pleasure Train Polka (Strauss, arr. Pegram), Pasadena and The Pines of Rome.